After the closing of Brainerd, MN's outstanding Paul Bunyan Center, the talking Paul Bunyan statue and Babe the Blue Ox will have new homes -- but not together. Owner Don McFarland was finally forced by declining attendance to scuttle the theme park and find alternative careers for his statues and employees.

Babe will be transported to a bowling alley in the vicinity, also owned by McFarland, soon to be rebranded the Blue Ox Bowl (July 2003: This plan changed when McFarland's son reminded his dad that a topless bar in town is already named "Blue Ox." March 2004 - Babe has also been moved to This Old Farm.). The 26-ft. tall seated Paul Bunyan will end up at an agricultural tourist attraction seven miles east of town.

Along with Paul, about 30 of the kiddie rides from the Paul Bunyan Center will be donated to This Old Farm, run by a local non-profit organization. The 100 employees at the Bunyan Center were guaranteed jobs at This Old Farm, a key factor in McFarland's generosity. The 35-acre attraction has exhibited farm equipment and the rural way of life since it opened in 1980. Today it includes an olde-tyme town, seasonal corn maze and farmer's meat market.

The talking Paul Bunyan is unique among monolithic Bunyans in its ability to move its arms, head, mouth and eyelids. The animated Paul would yell across the park at visitors, divining their hometown and their names. We hope his endearing antics will be continued at the new hangout.

[06/22/2003]